Praise tends to fall easily from our lips when life is good and we see visible signs that we are blessed. We feel happy and content because all seems to be right with our world. But what about when the sky darkens or falls in for us? What then?
Praising God during life’s storms can feel like an impossible thing to do. Yet praise is a powerful weapon to defeat discouragement and lift our mind and heart back to God. If we can open ourselves to God and lay all our cares at His feet, we can also learn how to praise and trust Him to meet all our needs even before we see it happening.
I’ve experienced this myself. On days when light was eclipsed in my soul and I was locked inside myself, drowning in feelings I didn’t want to have. Maybe you’ve been there too? Or are suffering that way now?
May I encourage you to let Jesus into your pain filled places. Invite God to be Lord of your sadness, sorrow and loss. Ask Him to help, heal and lift you up. It’s a heart cry prayer He will always answer.
Such thoughts shaped my (slightly more than 5 minutes) poem. I hope and pray it will be a blessing to you, my friend.
Praise
her countenance is clouded
darkened by circumstance
head drooping low to ground
soul feels like it’s chained down
she can barely register anything or
think clearly, hear others speaking
because her mind and heart are gripped
hard, caught up in turmoil and pain
then she hears a voice urging her
to look up and lift her sad gaze
to him, to raise her head higher
see her Lord standing here by her
because it is here, in the midst
of hardship and pain that he
whispers his encouragement
urges her to begin again
here? now? she cannot fathom how
nevertheless, she listens, begins
to murmur softly in her heart and
ignite a small thanksgiving spark
praise starts as a tiny seed within
a sacrificial offering, often scraped
from a raw place, then flowering
into tears, words, deeds and grace
now he gently whispers her name
pulls her out of the miry pit she
is in, helps her to stand strong today
on the solid ground of faith and praise
© joylenton
I praise God for having a writing space and thoughts to share as I join fellow wordsmiths over at five-minute-friday today. The prompt is ‘praise’. You are very welcome to join in. Just click here to read the great posts being shared. 🙂
Poetry Joy 
Your words remind me of lyrics to the Broken Hallelujah.
I can barely stand right now
Everything is crashing down
And I wonder where you are
I try to find the words to pray
I don’t always know what to say
But you’re the one who can hear my heart
Even though I don’t know what your plan is
I know you make beauty from these ashes
I’ve seen joy and I’ve seen pain
And on my knees I call your name
Here’s my broken hallelujah
With nothing left to hold onto
I raise these empty hands to you
Here’s my broken
Here’s my broken hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Here’s my broken hallelujah
Your FMF neighbor
Hi Lee Ann, I’m glad these words spoke to you and grateful if they reminded you of this beautiful hymn. Sometimes a “broken hallelujah” is all we have to offer God. But He tenderly takes it from us as the precious treasure it is. Bless you for visiting! 🙂
Beautiful poem, and I love the song too! I think God rejoices in our broken praise and it makes such a difference if we can turn our thoughts, even for a moment, away from our circumstances and onto God’s goodness!
Yes, Lesley, I think you’re right! Praise that issues from a broken heart is sweet music in God’s ears. And it definitely makes a difference if we can “turn our thoughts” as you have suggested here. Thank you for sharing your insightful comment! Blessings. x 💜
Well look at that….we wrote along similar lines. That Casting Crown song is good.
We did? Oh now you’ve intrigued me, Tara! I will hop over and read your post asap. Glad you like the Casting Crowns song. It’s one of my favourites. x 😊💜
Can praise from the heart truly be broke. Very well said Joy. I have felt like that many times, and sat singing Amazing Grace late at night or just telling Him, He is worthy to be praised. Sometimes I praise so much I think He’s telling me to be quiet.
Oh, Becky, I am sure God delights to hear His beloved daughter praising Him night or day! I doubt He ever tires of our heartfelt worship. Keep on praising, my friend! God is worthy. And we become changed as we praise Him. Bless you for your openness. I love to hear your thoughts! x 😊💟
Thanks, Joy, sometimes we do have to count it joy.😊 See you’ve even got a good name to remind you.
Yes, we do. And yes I have! It can be a hard name to live up to on days when joy feels elusive. Though God is always reminding me to extend my vision and encounter joy in the unlikeliest of places. 🙂 ❤
My aunt named me because my mother was so sick after having me, I would have been Angela, but Rebecca instead, close to God is what it means, so I guess I’m aiming pretty high. I love studying names and meanings.
Rebecca is a lovely name. If we had had a daughter she would have been called Rachel or Rebecca. You are definitely living up to your name, my friend! ❤
Thank you, Joy. I want you to have your name to the fullest also. 💓
Often the praise does have to start small when we don’t feel like praising. But, like you said, we need to invite Him into our pain and He will help us. Praise is a powerful weapon against the forces of evil. They don’t like praise. It reminds me of Paul and Silas in prison after being beaten and put it stocks. They began to pray and sing hymns. They praised God even in the horrible situation they were in. Joy, I love your poem! Thank you so much for reminding us to praise Him always, not just when things are going well. Blessings, love and hugs to you, dear sister/poet/friend! xoxo
What a beautiful biblical illustration of the power of praise! It’s also perfect for revealing how God works in and through us to bring about His purposes. It’s preferable to make prayer and praise our first recourse in times of trouble. Though I don’t always remember to do it until I have stewed and struggled a bit. Room for improvement there! Gayl, I love your appreciation for this post. Thank you so much for the sweet encouragement. Blessings, love and hugs to you too, dear sister/poet/friend! xoxo 💜
Dear Joy,
Oh this stanza is gripping me today:
“Praise starts as a tiny seed within
a sacrificial offering, often scraped
from a raw place, then flowering
into tears, words, deeds and grace”
What a beautiful picture you have painted here of how praise grows within our hearts. It truly does become a “flowering” doesn’t it? Jesus told us that would happen when His good seed is planted in the soil of a heart made ripe for Him, but I don’t often apply that to the way that PRAISE can grow in my heart too! Thank you for this precious reminder today, that those small praises are shining so brightly! Blessings, love, and hugs to you dear friend! xoxo
Dear Bettie, this concept wasn’t familiar to me either, until God gave me the poem to express His thoughts through. A flowering is such a positive thing and an image we can all relate to. May prayer, praise, fruitfulness and grace root deep within our hearts, flower abundantly, and impact our lives and outreach to others. Blessings, love, and hugs to you too, dear friend! xoxo 💜
Thank you for blessing me with your beautiful poetry of praise. It has touched my heart in a difficult time.
Mary, I am sorry to hear you are going through a difficult time. I’m glad these words have been a blessing to you. I’ll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Please feel free to contact me privately if you would like to share or need a listening ear. May God give you His comfort, peace and strength to sustain you through it all. ❤
So inspiring! Your words, and His truth, just when we need them the most. Blessings on your Sabbath!
Thank you, June! It is a wonder when God’s truth shines through our imperfect words. A blessing to us and to those who read them. May your be strengthened and sustained, my friend, as you continue to pour out grace filled words and share beautiful hymns this month. xo ❤
beautiful
Hi Heather, thanks for visiting! I’m glad this post spoke to you. Blessings. 🙂